- Iquitos is the capital of the department of Loreto.
- Iquitos is the most important port on the Upper Amazon and the largest jungle city in Perú.
- With a population of 500,000 it is the second largest city in the Amazon River valley.
- It is the largest city in the world that cannot be reached by road.
- There are many commercial flights to and from Lima on a daily basis. All other travel leaving the city is by boat on the river. One exception is a new paved road to the city of Nauta, 97 kilometers southwest of Iquitos.
- Los Angeles to Lima is a 6-hour flight; New York to Lima, a 9-hour flight. Ajusta esto con datos de vuelos del D.F. a Lima, por ejemplo, o Buenos Aires a Lima.
- Iquitos is 2,300 miles upstream from the mouth of the Amazon and about 360 miles east of the Andes Mountains.
- Iquitos is right on the Amazon River and close to several significant tributaries, including the Nanay, Ucayali, Marañón, and Napo Rivers.
- It is located 4º south of the equator and is surrounded by dense jungle vegetation.
- Climate:
- Daily temperatures: Average maximum: 31°C (88°F), average minimum: 21°C (70°F)
- Main Resources: rice, yucca, wood, fruit trees, rubber and cebu cattle.
- Cultural diversity is represented by the people living in Iquitos: Amazon tribes such as the Boras, Urarinas, and Cocamas; and those of Spanish and European descent (many are of a European and indigenous mixture).
- Motorcycles and motorcycle taxis (motocarros) are the preferred mode of transportation, making Iquitos noisy.
- Language: Spanish and Quechua are the official languages of Perú. Many other dialects exist in the jungle regions. English is spoken in tourist areas, such as some travel agencies and hotels.
- Iron House: Now a restaurant, it was designed by Eiffel in Paris in 1860, and imported piece-by-piece to Iquitos in 1890; located in the Plaza de Armas.
- Belén: a floating shantytown, home to thousands who use canoes to transport and sell jungle produce. The Belén market is a raucous, crowded affair that offers a range of fresh meat, vegetables, and fruits, juices, medicines, discounted clothes and shoes, and many household goods. Prices are set, but you can attempt to bargain. Many venders call from their booths or push their wares in your face. It is an adventure, and relatively safe during the day—just watch your wallet.
- Electricity: 220 volts. AC plugs are round and two-pronged; outlets usually accept 2 flat equal size or 2 round prongs. If needed, 220 to 110-volt adaptors can be purchased in Iquitos.
- Internet cafés are abundant and cost 2-3 Soles (60-90¢) per hour.
- Telephone: To call Peru, check with your local company for your country’s international code. Code into Perú: 51, code into Iquitos: 65. To call your country from Perú, Internet cafés have access code listings as well as telephones. Local and international telephone cards are also available at low rates.
- Politically, Iquitos is fairly quiet and inwardly focused. The region includes five military garrisons.
- Public Holidays:
January 1 New Year’s Day
May 1 Labor Day
June 24 Peasant Day
June 29 St Peter’s and St Paul’s Day
July 28-29 Independence Days
August 30 St Rosa of Lima Day
October 8 Battle of Angamos
November 1 All Saints’ Day
December 8 Immaculate Conception
December 25 Christmas Day
